And He put forth a parable to those that were bidden … “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” Luke 14:7-11 KJV
And He began speaking a parable to the invited guests … “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:7-11 NASB
The occasion was likely what we would call a “set up.” The Lord was invited to a home and a man with “dropsy” was planted there. The scrupulous Pharisees were waiting to see what the Lord would do on the Sabbath day. Would He heal the man, thus breaking their code on the Sabbath, or would He ignore the man?
The Pharisees were watching Him (v 1); but they did not realize that He was also watching them (v7). He noted how they, on entering, were all vying for the most prominent seats and the most conspicuous of “reclining places.” Their behaviour led to the parable which is recounted in verses 7-10 and recorded only by Luke. We are not left to ourselves to discern the meaning of the parable. The Lord Jesus Himself gives the key in verse 11. The principle of self-exaltation and the resultant humiliation is a familiar theme. Paul, James, and Peter each take up the corresponding truth and self-humbling and exaltation by God in their writings.
You cannot help but wonder – sanctified imagination, I trust – what the Lord may have thought when He was enunciating that great truth. He is the One Who humbled Himself. Was He looking to the day when His Father would say to Him, “Friend, go up higher?” No one ever humbled Himself as He did! He was rich yet became poor. He is the Creator yet chose to become part of His own creation. Worlds were dependent upon Him, yet He chose to become dependent on earthly human parents.
The contrasts could be multiplied many times over. To try and measure the magnitude of His self-humbling belies our limited knowledge of the glory He left and defies our ability to measure the distance He stooped.
But the principle advanced to the Pharisees in that home that day is equally applicable to Him. He humbled Himself and God has highly exalted Him. Men “abased” Him, mocking and scorning Him. Their cruel blows, spittle, and blasphemous words were heaped upon Him. Never again, however, will “cruel sinners set at nought our glorious Lord.” He humbled Himself; God will exalt Him.
That exaltation will occur in stages. Even now He has been exalted as God has addressed Him with “Go up higher” (v 10), that He might have honour in the sight of those in heaven. God has said to this Man Who humbled Himself, “Sit Thou at My right hand.” No higher place could be found for Him in heaven. But His exaltation has not ended with that enthronement. He will one day be brought forth to the gaze of a wondering universe and God will highly exalt Him and the name which He has been given will be honoured by all, as every knee will be made to bow, and every tongue confess.
This coming Lord’s Day, be sure that your voice is among the throng on earth who will join with the chorus of heaven in acclaiming His worth.
Consider:
Look at others in the Scriptures who humbled themselves and were ultimately exalted by God. Each in his own small way is a picture of the Lord Jesus.